| Saturn AURA: Turning a Corner |
25 Jun |
General Motors Saturn division is one of the few bright spots for the troubled U.S. automaker. As of this writing, the parent company is in the midst of plant closings, massive layoffs, and big losses. Bankruptcy may be the ultimate out for GM, but even if the company doesnt choose that route, big changes are coming nevertheless. Fortunately, the Saturn division is one of the few bright spots for the legendary automaker as are Cadillac, GMC, and select models including the Corvette and the companys big trucks. For Saturn, there is a certain AURA about the division both in model name as well as in sensation.
Step back two decades and General Motors is all abuzz over a new car company in the process of being created: Saturn. As a wholly owned subsidiary of GM, Saturn was designed to take on Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda by building compact cars that American drivers really wanted and could rely upon. It worked. For most of the 1990s, the S Series was the sole model for Saturn; available in coupe, sedan, and wagon, the S Series achieved cult status and had a loyal following of owners who regularly congregated for meets at Spring Hill, TN where the cars were built. Even when the vehicles design aged, the S Series maintained its high status with Saturn aficionados.
By the late 1990s, two new lines of vehicles were added to the Saturn brand. The VUE, became the companys sport utility vehicle while the L Series was the first large Saturn. In reality, the L was a midsize car as it was heavily derived from a model sold by GMs European division, Opel. With the latter model, Saturn hoped to provide the larger vehicle that S Series owners desired. Unfortunately, sales figures barely exceeded half of the quota anticipated by Saturn, so after a few years the model was retired.
Today, Saturn is no longer a separate company. With the demise of Oldsmobile, Saturn is now a full fledged division of General Motors. While some see this move as a bad thing, it has resulted in new products for the brand.
Soon after the L Series was retired, the RELAY was introduced. As the first Saturn model built on a U.S. G.M. platform, the 7 passenger people mover was a far cry from previous models. Still, the vehicle has filled a gaping hole in the Saturn line up.
Just this past Spring the SKY was introduced, an upscale limited production convertible. To say that the car has been received with gladness is an understatement. Quite frankly, the SKY is the halo car needed by Saturn, but fortunately the division isnt stopping there.
Although the L Series was a flop, GM is once again turning to its Opel division to produce a car. Combining Opel styling with a U.S. G.M. platform, the AURA sedan will be rolling into a showroom near you very soon.
So, what is so special about the AURA? Its good looks! Although it is nearly impossible to describe the vehicle without showing you a picture, the AURA is simply one imposing car. Although a sedan, the AURA is sporty looking with a grille that is not too far removed from the new SKY. With a 3.6L V6 engine mated to a six speed automatic transmission, the 250 h.p. AURA will definitely compete with the Camry, Accord, and Maxima for sales as well as for performance leadership. Throw in 19 inch wheels, a sporty interior, and responsive handling and the AURA just begs to be driven.
The best part of the AURA is that it isnt the L Series, a car criticized for being too bland and uninspiring. One look at the AURA and you can see that Saturn got it right this time.
Prices for the AURA havent been announced yet, but you can expect fully loaded models to retail below $25,000 well within the range of its competition.
Will the AURA succeed? Well, it has too! Look for Saturn to do all that it can to make sure that the model is marketed to those who would buy one: the cross section of the North American populace. Yes, Saturn has turned a corner and hopefully the same came be said for the entire company.
Tags: American Drivers, Car Company, Compact Cars, Cult Status, Gm Saturn, Japanese Rivals, Latter Model, Legendary Automaker, Massive Layoffs, Midsize Car, Model Name, Model Saturn, Plant Closings, Saturn Aura, Saturn Division, Select Models, Separate Company, Sport Utility Vehicle, Spring Hill Tn, Turning A CornerRelated posts
read comments (0)| Saturn AURA: Turning a Corner |
20 Jun |
General Motors Saturn division is one of the few bright spots for the troubled U.S. automaker. As of this writing, the parent company is in the midst of plant closings, massive layoffs, and big losses. Bankruptcy may be the ultimate out for GM, but even if the company doesnt choose that route, big changes are coming nevertheless. Fortunately, the Saturn division is one of the few bright spots for the legendary automaker as are Cadillac, GMC, and select models including the Corvette and the companys big trucks. For Saturn, there is a certain AURA about the division both in model name as well as in sensation.
Step back two decades and General Motors is all abuzz over a new car company in the process of being created: Saturn. As a wholly owned subsidiary of GM, Saturn was designed to take on Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda by building compact cars that American drivers really wanted and could rely upon. It worked. For most of the 1990s, the S Series was the sole model for Saturn; available in coupe, sedan, and wagon, the S Series achieved cult status and had a loyal following of owners who regularly congregated for meets at Spring Hill, TN where the cars were built. Even when the vehicles design aged, the S Series maintained its high status with Saturn aficionados.
By the late 1990s, two new lines of vehicles were added to the Saturn brand. The VUE, became the companys sport utility vehicle while the L Series was the first large Saturn. In reality, the L was a midsize car as it was heavily derived from a model sold by GMs European division, Opel. With the latter model, Saturn hoped to provide the larger vehicle that S Series owners desired. Unfortunately, sales figures barely exceeded half of the quota anticipated by Saturn, so after a few years the model was retired.
Today, Saturn is no longer a separate company. With the demise of Oldsmobile, Saturn is now a full fledged division of General Motors. While some see this move as a bad thing, it has resulted in new products for the brand.
Soon after the L Series was retired, the RELAY was introduced. As the first Saturn model built on a U.S. G.M. platform, the 7 passenger people mover was a far cry from previous models. Still, the vehicle has filled a gaping hole in the Saturn line up.
Just this past Spring the SKY was introduced, an upscale limited production convertible. To say that the car has been received with gladness is an understatement. Quite frankly, the SKY is the halo car needed by Saturn, but fortunately the division isnt stopping there.
Although the L Series was a flop, GM is once again turning to its Opel division to produce a car. Combining Opel styling with a U.S. G.M. platform, the AURA sedan will be rolling into a showroom near you very soon.
So, what is so special about the AURA? Its good looks! Although it is nearly impossible to describe the vehicle without showing you a picture, the AURA is simply one imposing car. Although a sedan, the AURA is sporty looking with a grille that is not too far removed from the new SKY. With a 3.6L V6 engine mated to a six speed automatic transmission, the 250 h.p. AURA will definitely compete with the Camry, Accord, and Maxima for sales as well as for performance leadership. Throw in 19 inch wheels, a sporty interior, and responsive handling and the AURA just begs to be driven.
The best part of the AURA is that it isnt the L Series, a car criticized for being too bland and uninspiring. One look at the AURA and you can see that Saturn got it right this time.
Prices for the AURA havent been announced yet, but you can expect fully loaded models to retail below $25,000 well within the range of its competition.
Will the AURA succeed? Well, it has too! Look for Saturn to do all that it can to make sure that the model is marketed to those who would buy one: the cross section of the North American populace. Yes, Saturn has turned a corner and hopefully the same came be said for the entire company.
Tags: American Drivers, Car Company, Compact Cars, Cult Status, Gm Saturn, Japanese Rivals, Latter Model, Legendary Automaker, Massive Layoffs, Midsize Car, Model Name, Model Saturn, Plant Closings, Saturn Aura, Saturn Division, Select Models, Separate Company, Sport Utility Vehicle, Spring Hill Tn, Turning A CornerRelated posts
| Flex Fuel: Will You Bite? |
10 Mar |
All the talk about gas-electric hybrid vehicles is overlooking another area where fuel economy can be realized. No, I am not talking about diesel engines and I am not even thinking about hydrogen power. Instead, corn powered vehicles are coming into their own. Thats right, ethanol, a fuel that has a history going back a full century, may be the fuel of the future. Is ethanol a good choice for a fuel source? Ill let you be the judge of that!
Back during the days that Henry Ford was building cars, he designed his Model T to run on ethanol, a fuel that is typically derived from corn. His idea was to give the driver a choice between gasoline and this particular alternative source of energy. Historically low gas prices however, made the need for ethanol pretty much a moot point at that time. Why fuel up with ethanol when gas was being sold for a quarter or less?
For its part, the U.S. government has long held that ethanol is a good fuel source and has mandated that vehicles built since the early 1980s, have the capacity to run on E10 ethanol a blend consisting of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Since the 1990s another type of ethanol, E85, has been receiving plenty of press coverage. This fuel is made up of 85% ethanol and just 15% gasoline. Thats right, a truly alternative fuel source derived from corn.
With E85, only specially designated models can run on this type of fuel. No, they arent some odd looking vehicles like the Honda Insight, instead they are every day vehicles including the Dodge Durango, Mercedes C240, Chevy Silverado, and other select models specially outfitted to accept E85. These FFVs, or flexible fuel vehicles, are distinctive models that can run on E85 or on unleaded gasoline. They can also run on any blend of ethanol/gasoline from an 85% ethanol/gasoline mix on down.
E85 does affect fuel mileage for the typical vehicle with fuel economy dropping as much as 10% depending on the model. At face value this can look like a bad thing until you consider the following:
1.E85 fuel prices are much lower than straight gasoline. Depending on the station, as much as one third lower. So, even with the reduced fuel economy many drivers are saving as much as 25% on their weekly fuel bills.
2.E85 burns clean. Remember, this is a chiefly corn based product. With only a minimal amount of gasoline used, E85 is better for the environment as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
3.E85 reduces our dependency on foreign oil. The biggest problem in America today when it comes to energy consumption is our overdependence on foreign oil. E85 is developed in the U.S. thanks to our abundant and extensive corn belt. By using E85, you help farmers in Americas heartland instead of oil rich sheiks in the Middle East.
Currently, in some areas of the country E85 stations are few and far between. However, as the number of E85 models being built continues to grow and consumers accept E85 as an alternate fuel source, more stations will be built. E85 availability is high in the middle of the country so motorists have more choice in there. Regardless of pump availability, a FFV can run on straight gasoline when E85 is not available.
So, will you take the bite and purchase an FFV? Perhaps a few years ago you wouldnt have considered one, but with rapidly rising fuel prices, worries over global warming, and frustration over our dependency on foreign oil, an FFV is worthy of everyones consideration.
Tags: Alternative Source Of Energy, Building Cars, Chevy Silverado, Distinctive Models, Dodge Durango, Ethanol E85, Ethanol Fuel, Ethanol Gasoline, Flexible Fuel Vehicles, Fuel Economy, Fuel Ethanol, Fuel Mileage, Fuel Source, Henry Ford, Honda Insight, Hydrogen Power, Mercedes C240, Moot Point, Select Models, Unleaded GasolineRelated posts
